WWE legend Sabu died at the age of 61 on May 11, a few weeks after having a retirement match in the independent circuit.
Sabu was a legend in ECW and had revolutionized the business alongside fellow legends like Paul Heyman, Tommy Dreamer, The Dudleyz, Rob Van Dam and others, so fans can expect WWE to pay homage to him tonight on RAW after Backlash and there are four ways this could happen.
The Usual Simple Graphic of ‘In Loving Memory Of’
When a WWE legend passes away, the organization usually creates a graphic to pay tribute with the caption “In Loving Memory of,” which shows up in between segments and matches, with the commentary team paying tribute to the legend that passed away.
With that said, WWE Creative could do the same for this Monday on RAW and pay homage to the late Sabu.
A Proper Video Package Encapsulating His Entire Career
WWE may plan to pay homage to Sabu the best way possible and a simple graphic may not be enough this time. The creative team could put together a video package instead, featuring Sabu’s greatest moments from his career in ECW and WWE.
It could feature moments from his matches against Dreamer, Van Dam and other ECW legends as well as his title matches against fellow WWE legends John Cena (for the WWE Championship) and Rey Mysterio (for the World Heavyweight Championship).
A video package for the late Sabu is expected to get a very warm reception from the WWE universe.
Sabu Memorial Extreme Rules Match for an Announced or Unannounced Match On Raw
The late Sabu was well-known for his Extreme Rules Match in ECW and WWE, featuring chairs, ladders and tables, so WWE could book a Sabu Memorial Extreme Rules Match to pay homage to the legendary wrestler.
The late Sabu was well-known for his Extreme Rules Match in ECW and WWE, and WWE could book a Sabu Memorial Extreme Rules Match to pay homage to the legendary wrestler. They have done this with the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal that WWE hosts in the final SmackDown before WrestleMania and usually features superstars that don’t compete at the Grandest Stage of Them All.
It might not be a Battle Royal, but instead, they could book a title match on RAW either in singles or tag team action.
Paul Heyman Pays Respect to Sabu With One Liner
Heyman is expected to show up on Raw this week next to Rollins and Breakker as their faction is scheduled to address last week’s events, where Sami Zayn and a returning CM Punk assaulted The Dog and cost The Visionary the opportunity to dethrone Jey Uso and become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
The Best in the World will be on RAW this Monday night, so a heated confrontation with The Wiseman and the new faction is the most likely scenario. As for the WWE Hall of Famer, he could pay homage to the late Sabu with a line or two during his promo, referring to their history in ECW.
Sabu, meanwhile, had already referred to his relationship with Heyman in an interview with Donut Shop Chronicles back in December. The late WWE legend had praised Heyman for his creative mind and had opened up about his struggles to work with him in ECW.
“He’s good to work for, sort of. Work with, not work for. He’s great to work with. He’s a genius and has the best mind in the business than anybody. He had a better mind than Vince. When I wrestled for him, he didn’t have the money to pay us. I don’t hold that against him no more. He didn’t have it. If he had the money to pay us back then, he would’ve,” the late Sabu had said.
Heyman and Sabu worked together in ECW and WCW in the 1990s, where they revolutionized the business, even though several top names from that era had referred to their struggles in ECW.